“In this land of America, ye have horses?” Eric asked. It was a statement more than a question.
Stacey laughed and said, “Yes, of course we do. Why do you ask?”
“I watched ye with the horses. I knew ye were familiar with them.”
“Yes, very much so,” Stacey said. “I grew up on a ranch.” Just thinking about her home brought tears to her eyes.
Eric noticed and tenderly asked, “What be this ranch ye speak of lass?”
“It’s like a big farm, except we raise horses and cattle. Ours is a big country and there are many people to feed.”
With much curiosity, Eric asked, “Ye said ye learned to read at university. Do men and women go there together?”
“Yes, men and women are equal in my country; however, I learned to read long before I went to the university.”
“Why did ye come to England to dig up old civilizations? Have ye naught of ye own?”
“Yes, we have some; however, my country isn’t as old as your country.”
“Where be this old Roman place that ye be digging?” Eric inquired.
Stacey told him without thinking, “It’s just outside Druid’s Grove. The old Druid religion worshiped trees. They held many of their ceremonies there.”
“Yes, I know of it, it be a pagan religion.”
“Did you know Wallingford was an old roman town? It’s just between Reading and Oxford,” Stacey said, enthusiastically.
“We will talk more later, ye must rest now and get strong again,” Eric encouraged. He wanted nothing more than to stay and hold her in his arms, but common sense told him to go. He felt if he could find her a way back to her home and family her father would consider his suit of her.
“Will you kiss me one more time before you go?” Stacey asked. She knew she was being too forward, but she didn’t care. It seemed her whole world had turned up side down and he was the one strong force that she could hold onto.
Eric was surprised by her candor but admired her straight forwardness. With a gentle touch he kissed her and said, “Get strong lass and we will do more than kiss.”
Stacey watched him walk out the door and wondered to herself; was I meant to be here and never go back. Better yet, am I supposed to take Eric back with me? Could this be my destiny? Well, it could be worse. Stacey fell asleep dreaming of how Eric would be amazed at the things he would experience in her time.
Stacey spent most of the day sleeping. Someone checked on her every so often. They woke her at mid-day to eat a light meal. When the eventide meal came, Stacey wondered why his lordship had not been back to see her. The next day when Rodric came to visit, she asked, “Where’s your brother?”
“I do not know,” he answered. “He left early yester morn on business, I am told. He promised to return ere my birthday.”
Stacey wondered what was so important that he left while she was still weak. In three days time she was much improved. She wanted to be strong and looking good by the time Eric returned. Stacey thought little about anything except what Eric had implied when he said, “Get strong lass and we will do more than kiss.” Whatever it is, she thought, I want it.
Eric had been gone five days when the guard at the gate announced, “His lordship is coming.”
It had been an anxious four days. Stacey had slept through the first day. Now she was nervous to see him again after that first night. Everyone was in the great hall when the servants helped his lordship in with his companions. Stacey’s heart fell when she realized it was Lord Hampton and not Eric that they meant. Lady Margaret and Rodric were very happy to see Lord Thomas and of course, Stacey was too. He was such a nice person and he had left Sir Perceval to watch over her so she forced herself to put her disappointment aside. It was best if no one knew how she felt about Eric, anyway.
Rodric had come to stand beside her to tell her they had another guest. It was Lady Isabelle Nelson.
“Yes, your father said a friend of Eric’s was with him.”
Just then, the most beautiful woman Stacey had ever seen stepped into the hall with servants in tow. She was blonde, short and voluptuous with breasts so big; Stacey wondered how she didn’t topple over. She had a tiny waist and ample hips and wore the most beautiful clothes.
“Are you ready for this?” Rodric asked.
“What?” Stacey asked.
“That is Lady Isabelle Nelson. She is Eric’s mistress.”
Stacey was speechless...well not for long. She said to Rodric, “So that’s the type of woman he prefers.”
“I suppose so,” Rodric said. “They have been together about two years now.”
Stacey hurt like she had never hurt before and she was angry. How stupid she felt. She had read books about the kind of men these people were. They thought nothing of using women and dumping them when they were finished with them. Well, she wasn’t here to be his plaything. If that short, flussy blonde is what he wants, he can sure as heck have her. Stacey thanked her lucky stars nobody knew what a fool she had almost been.
After the new guest was all settled in her rooms she came downstairs. Lord Hampton introduced her to Stacey. “How do you do,” Stacey greeted her. “I’m Rodric’s friend.”
Lady Isabelle was not interested in Stacey or whose friend she was. She kept looking around and then finally asked, “Where be his lordship?”
“We be not sure,” Lady Margaret said. “He left on business a few days ago. Was he aware ye were coming?”
“No, Lord Hampton did not tell ye we met on the road from Hampton Hall?
Since he was coming to Dun-Raven, I decided to come along too and celebrate Rodric’s birthday. How many years have ye now, Rodric?” Lady Isabelle inquired.
“Eighteen, Lady Isabelle,” Rodric said.
It was a few days more before the earl of Dun-Raven returned and this woman never stopped her constant chattering. Two days gave Stacey enough time for anger and recrimination to set in and take hold. Stacey had never been this angry with anyone in her life. She called herself all kinds of idiots for thinking she was in love with this...this...man. She couldn’t think of a word bad enough to describe him. Stacey remembered an old adage she had heard about, ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ Well, she wasn’t sure about the scorned part, but she was full of fury. Stacey thought about it and decided she had mistaken gratitude for love with her being ill and lost from her home and the trauma
of not knowing how to get back. Perhaps this little upset was best and she would not make this mistake again.
Chapter 9
The Mistress
Stacey was out riding with Rodric, Callie, Nicole and her husband Robin, a young knight and Sir Perceval. They were talking and joking about Lady Isabelle and saying what a beautiful woman she was. They all knew she was his lordship’s mistress.
Stacey asked, “Do you suppose she ever shuts up or does she ramble on in her sleep?” Stacey shivered at the though of this woman lying in Eric’s arms and chatting nonsense made her nauseous to her stomach. Isabelle was the most loquacious person Stacey had ever met.
Nicole made a sly remark, “Mayhap we should ask his lordship.” Everyone laughed at Nicole’s innuendo except Stacey.
“I think I’ll pass on supper tonight,” Stacey said.
When they returned to the castle around mid afternoon, a herald was in the hall to inform the Earl of Dun-Raven of the tournament to be held in Westminster in six weeks time. Things had just quieted down when noise from the bailey caught their attention. “It be his lordship,” someone said.
It was the earl this time. He did not get inside the hall good before Isabelle was on him. She kissed him and held on to his arm with such ownership. Stacey wanted to puke, but instead she went and sat on the stairs. Everyone was talking and asking questions. Eric looked up and saw Stacey sitting at the top of the stairs.
With his voice full of authority, he said, “I would speak with ye in my parlor, Miss Scott.”
Stacey knew him well enough to kn
ow he was furious. Well, by all that’s holy, so was she and she wasn’t about to listen to any of his excuses. Lies would probably be a more appropriate word.
Inside, with the door closed Eric turned on her. “Why did ye lie to me?” he asked. “Did it do ye well to play me for a fool?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Stacey said, “but being played for a fool is your game, not mine. How dare you kiss me and say sweet things when you knew your mistress was coming here, or did you send a runner to summon her here?”
“Leave Isabelle out of this,” Eric said. “I went to Druid’s Grove. I searched for miles around. There be no people digging anywhere near there and not one of the learned people I spoke with has ever heard of a country west of here.”
Disgusted, Stacey said, “The Vikings have lived in Iceland since long before eleven hundred A.D. If your learned people are so darn smart how is it they don’t know that?” Stacey’s anger let loose and she exploded, “Besides all that what happened to, ‘I don’t care if you came from the moon,’ crap? Huh? Or were you just playing kissy poo with me, while you were waiting for your mistress to get here?”
“As I recall,” Eric said, “it be ye who asked for more of my kisses.”
“Well,” Stacey said, “hell will freeze over before you ever get another kiss from me. Of course, with your whore here you won’t need anything from me.”
Stacey was reaching for the door, when Eric said, “I am not finished with ye, Miss Scott.”
“Well, I’m finished with you,” she said and sailed through the door and slammed it behind her with the tail of her skirt catching in it.
Eric opened the door and said, “Ye will hear me out. I am not finished with ye, Miss Scott.”
Stacey grabbed her skirt and headed for the stairs, then turned back and said, “Tough shit, your Lordship, cause I’m finished with you.” Up the stairs, Stacey went and slammed her solar door.
Everyone in the hall was looking on, so Eric let it go for now. He had never been so hurt and so angry with any woman in his entire life. Stacey was not going to go down for the eventide meal. Then she decided, to heck with him she would show him. Sir Perceval took her to the river to bathe. Her hair was still wet, so she put it in a French braid. Stacey had become very close with the servants. She now referred to Alice as a chef, which made Alice very happy, once Stacey explained what a chef was.
At the table, Stacey was very quiet. Isabelle was her usual talkative self. When Alfred served the wine, Stacey asked to be served a goblet. “Ye do not care for this vintage, Miss Stacey. I will bring ye the blackberry.”
This brought Eric’s attention to Stacey. Isabelle had not shut up since they had sat down to the table. Eric thought, to himself, if she does not cease her constant chattering soon, a gag might be in order. He wondered why her constant yapping had never bothered him before now.
Alfred brought the wine and Stacey poured her goblet full. Alfred looked to his lordship fearing chastisement. Stacey picked at her food. Eric knew she was still angry. He was waiting for her to explode. Eric had never before seen Stacey drink wine. She had now drunk two full goblets. She was sitting almost directly across from Isabelle.
Stacey was sitting with her elbow on the table with her chin resting in the palm of her hand. She looked across at Isabelle and asked, “Where’s your husband?”
“My dear husband passed on a few years ago, Miss Scott,” Lady Isabelle said. “I thought I had already told ye that.”
“What title did he hold?”
“He was a baron, why do ye ask?” Isabelle inquired.
Stacey, with a bit too much wine said, “So, you’re heading on up to the east side, hea, Wizzie?” Of course, no one at the table understood Stacey’s sarcasm. Next, Stacey asked, “How did your husband die? Did he smother to death?”
This time they understood Stacey’s sarcasm. Eric and Lord Thomas almost choked on their wine and Rodric hid a smile behind his napkin.
“I beg ye pardon?” Isabelle said.
Stacey snapped her fingers and said, “That’s who you remind me of, Dolly Pardon.”
“Pray tell, what is a Dolly Pardon?” Isabelle inquired.
“Not a what,” Stacey said, “but a who. She is a very well known lady where I come from.”
“From where exactly, do ye come, Miss Scott?” Isabelle asked.
Stacey shrugged her shoulders and said, “Oh, I don’t know, east of the sun, west of the moon, who cares?”
“Miss Scott, mayhap ye have had enough wine,” Eric said.
Stacey waved her finger at him and said, “Nope, nope...Nooo. I was always the designated driver in college, but here I don’t drive.” At that precise time, Isabelle spilled a drop of wine on her breast. She caught it with her finger and then licked her finger. Every male at the table was spellbound.
Stacey turned to Rodric and said, “I’m glad those monsters are good for something.”
“Stacey, let us go for fresh air,” Rodric urged.
Stacey ignored him and asked Isabelle, “How did you get your hair that color? I know they haven’t invented peroxide yet.”
“I wash my hair in saffron,” Isabelle said.
Stacey, shocked to her core asked, “Do you know how much that stuff costs?”
“As a matter of fact I do not,” Isabelle said, as she looked toward Eric.
Stacey looked at Eric with disgust in her eyes and said to Rodric, “Now I think I need some fresh air.”
As Stacey and Rodric left the table Isabelle said to Lord Thomas, “Surely ye not be thinking of matching that person to Rodric. She be so incongruous.”
“She be the orphan niece of an old friend of mine,” Lord Thomas said. “No, of course not,” Eric said.
“Well no, I had not thought on it, but now that ye mention it, I may think on it.”
“Surely, ye lordship, ye see she is not suitable,” Isabelle said.
“Why do ye think not?” he asked.
“To begin with she speaks strangely,” Isabelle said, “and who be her family?”
Everyone within hearing distance knew he was lying, but they all liked Miss Stacey. She treated everyone the same as if they were all equal, where as Lady Isabelle looked down on almost everyone there. They all knew Lady Isabelle had hopes of being the next Countess of Dun-Raven. As far as the castle folk were concerned, she was the earl’s leman, his whore, nothing more. When Lady Isabelle comes to Dun-Raven, she brings her own servants. She does not want uncouth country servants touching her finery and that was just fine with them.
Rodric and Stacey were walking around the gardens. “What turned ye loose on Lady Isabelle?” Rodric asked.
“You’re a man; you wouldn’t understand.”
“Did ye and Eric have another fight?”
“Yes, that’s about all we ever do.” Stacey turned to Rodric and asked, “What makes a man want a woman like that?”
Rodric smiled and said, “She be not Eric’s alone. She shares her charms with many men.”
Stacey was shocked. “Does Eric know?”
“Of course he does,” Rodric said with a bit of a laugh. “I’m surprised she came this far. She does not like the country.”
“Maybe not,” Stacey said, “but she wants his title.”
Rodric smiled and said, “Eric be not a fool, he be aware of what she wants. What about ye Stacey, what do ye want?”
“I just wanna’ go home.”
“What be Eric angry with ye about this time?” Rodric asked.
“I told him where I came from and he went to London to try to find me a way home. Like a fool, I told him about Druid’s Grove. He went there and of course, there was no dig,” Stacey said.
“Did ye tell him why?” Rodric asked.
“No, he was too angry to listen and I was too angry to explain. I’m gonna’ ask your mother and father if I can go back to London with ya’ll when you leave after your party.”
“I think it would be best if ye told E
ric everything.”
“Are you crazy?” Stacey said. “He would probably tie me to the stake and light the first match. I don’t think I feel like being roasted, if you don’t mind.”
Rodric laughed at her and said, “I would love to see ye world Stacey.”
“So would I,” Stacey said. “I’ll tell you all I can, but first we must make a pact that you will never tell my secret to anyone except Callie, after you two are married.”
“How did you know I plan to marry Callie?” Rodric asked in amazement.
“I have eyes,” Stacey said. Then she told Rodric, “We’re going to be blood brother and sister. The Native American people where I come from do this with people they trust with their lives. That’s what I’m gonna’ do with you.”
Rodric was quiet for a while, then asked, “Stacey when we mingle our blood does this mean I am to always do what I think be best for ye?”
“Yes, absolutely, I trust you with my life.”
They then cut their fingers and mingled their blood. They talked and talked. Stacey drew pictures in the dirt and Rodric was full of questions. She told him over-whelming things about automobiles, aviation, the industrial age, medicine, astronomy and science. When she told him about astronauts traveling to the moon, he was astonished and only half believed her. Stacey was in her element. She loved the look of amazement on his face each time she described something that future generations took for granted. Stacey knew she would be the same if people came from outer space telling about other far away, unimaginable, wonderful worlds.
Chapter 10
Rodric’s Birthday
When Stacey went upstairs, she saw Isabelle going into Eric’s quarters. She thought, to herself, “Damn, damn them both.”
Rodric’s regale was to be on Saturday. Stacey’s dress was ready. Molly had done an amazing job. Stacey thought, Eric must have loved Frances exceeding well to provide her with such beautiful materials. How sad it was that she never had a chance to use them. Stacey had chosen a lovely green silk to make her dress. She drew a sketch of the dress she wanted and there was a pair of green boots that would match perfectly.
A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1) Page 6